The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-08-12
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AT THE ALTAR.

OlleE lO-iHOtTON.
Constance Ashley was white to the
lips and trembling like a reed, She
loved the man before her with a love
.hat made her chafe madly against
the morrow's sacrifice Was it any
thing less? She was giving q acold hand
and colder heart to the man whose
money had saved her father from
bankruptcy.
One year before she had been so hap
py, for Charles Vincent, her fathers
book keeper, had taught her to love
him with the best love OF her young
heart.
Then position had been offered
him in n distant city that promised
rapid advancement, and he had ac-
cepted, leaving Constance free save
for the bonds Of loving faith he plac-
ed about her in the hour OF their
parting.
81 will work very hard" he said,
when holding her hand in their gool-
bye. sit may be years before | can
come to you rs | could wish to, but |
may carry with me the memory OF
your dear face; the touch OF your hand:
the precious hours have spent with
you; and will bc made stronger by
the thought that lam not forgotten by
you,
,sl
lookingup through tears that gathered
thiclsly in her glorious eyes. "Never
forgotten; but thought of in every hour
every moment--with hopes for your
welfare and prayers for your safety.
When you return, Charlie, you will
find that time cannot change inen'
"Thanls you, dearest" " he whispered,
bending 10 touch his lips to her white
hand. | leave you without afear,
And that was but one year before
the embarrassment, the threatened
failure, that had driven her father al
most wild with fear, aud ended, almost
without her realizing what she was do
in, in the promise of her hand to one
whose generosity had placed the firm OF
Ashley 4 Ashley beyond danger.
She had not forgotten had not been
untrue; but q web had been woven
about her from which she could not
free herself; and tomorrow She would
become the bride OF Earnest Rivierc.
Rumor had brought the information
to Charlie that Constancewas promis-
cd to another-about to become u
bride; and he had lett his post oflabor
to satisfy himself OF the truth Of the
report
The servant had said he could not
see Miss Ashley,
"Tell her am very old friend. I
will only dstan Miss Ashley a mo-
ment, but particularly wish to see
her
And, not knowing who awaited her
Constance had descended to the parlor
to meet his cold, half-scornful eyes
and turn white as corpse ut the sight
OF his handsome face and wealth OF
accusation.
"It is true" she said, answering his
question simply.
''rhen ! have trusted you in vain, y
he cried, his eyes taking a look 10 deep
suffering; 81 have worked and hoped
and built my fond, foolish castles while
you were forgetting me in the new love
you were winningl'
"Charlie, you are very cruel!" Con
stance said in low, broken tones; "you
do not know-how can you? You did
not see my father as did on the very
verge OF despair,e life and hope by
the man who was his friend; you dc
not know how ungenerously that friend
claimed, as reward for his kindness
the reluctant hand of my fathers
daughter! Spare me a single reproach
am sad,very sad-hearted, Charlie
now go; | wish-ah, heaven! how
wish-you had not come!"
And she wlung her white hands il
agony; they young1nan made move
ment toward her hewas checked by tn,
opening door, and Constnacc's lathe,
entered, bent and whte-haired.
"Glad to see you, my boy" be said
holding out q cordial hand. "Youar
going TO remain for the wedding y
course? Nonsense" as Charlie NUT
tered some word of apology; ''yo,
must. Why, its only a day off, anc
my daughter will carry off the season.
prize
The brilliant parlors were ablaze witt
the glitter OF Jewels and odorous wit
the perfume of hot-house bloom
There was an actual "crush' OF tn
very creme OF the city who wer
anxious to behold, for the last tim
III her maiden freedom, the fair daugl
ter of the house.
She came at last, in her flown
bridal draperies, orange buds upo
her, and dainty bridal roses tina
We're not whittier than her girlish cheek
,, She took her place at the side OF til
expectant bridegroom, who was hin
self rather pale; and silence fell sue
denly upon those about them, Will
outside the evening gloom half hid
t woman, crouching under one OF til
1 low, unfastened windows, over whic
velvet curtains fell, but through whic
" the clear tones of the Clergyman
voice reached the listener.
Of any one present can tell OF a jus
:. cause for the two standing before n
n not becoming man and wife, let hi,
Q speak now, or forever after hold h
t peace
/ There was a slight pause, but no r.
J sponse came from the guests, amor
WYNN NIittiiio olCott, ttiiIil itil
n proud, but very pale,
o The clergyman resumed. proceedn
d with the ceremony, when suddenly II
curtain that concealed one OF the vii
3 dows was thrust aside. The sash wt
$ pushed further up, and woman
J stranger to them ail-stepped into Il
o room. She advanced toward IL
, clergyman the guests making way ft
her, in wondering surprise.
4 "Hold" she said, laying hand firm
on the clcrgyman's arm, her voice rim
:. ing with authority; "hold; your wor,
Z are mockery--a blasphemyl ! kno
8 Of reason why yonder man." poin
n ing to the bridegroom, should not b
n. come the husband of this young girl
in The black eyes OF Earnest klvle
A. flashed upon the speaker, n CLAM
. that it was hard to readi but h
handsome, foreign face grew ashen, -ar
,l the hand at his side WAS clenched s
~ ~ iercely that the glove upon. it W,
: rent in places -.
w "Proceed with the ceremony" Ea
a ! nest-Riyiere said, tlsiug-to make h
u voice calmly careless; 1--WE are wal